Nick Dunlap withdraws from Farmers Insurance Open on PGA Tour
Nick Dunlap issues statement as he decides to WD from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Nick Dunlap has decided to withdraw from this week's Farmers Insurance Open.
Dunlap, 20, became the first amateur to win on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 - and just the eighth amateur to win on the PGA Tour since 1945 - following a gutsy one-stroke victory at The American Express.
After firing a stunning 12-under 60 at La Quinta to open up a three-shot lead thru 54 holes, Dunlap then carded a final-round 70 to see off South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout by one shot on a tournament record score of 29-under par.
Dunlap also became the second youngest amateur to win on the PGA Tour and the youngest in 93 years, as well as the youngest ever champion of The American Express.
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Dunlap and Tiger Woods are the only two golfers to have won an US Amateur, US Junior Amateur and PGA Tour title.
As a result of being an amateur, Dunlap did not receive the giant first prize at The American Express, nor did he receive any FedEx Cup points.
He does at least vault dramatically from out of the top 4,000 in the world rankings to 68th.
Nick Dunlap WDs from Farmers
Despite being invited to compete in this week's Farmers Insurance Open at famed Torrey Pines, the PGA Tour confirmed in a statement that Dunlap has withdrawn his name from the field.
The reason is because Dunlap wants to return home to Alabama and soak up the victory with his family and friends.
"After a life-changing last 24 hours, I’ve decided to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open," said Dunlap.
"I plan to return home to Alabama to be with family, friends and teammates.
"Thank you to Farmers Insurance and American Express for giving me these opportunities."
Statement on behalf of Nick Dunlap pic.twitter.com/9VGwMbjWEi
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 22, 2024
The Farmers Insurance Open starts earlier than a typical PGA Tour event this week with the first round getting underway on Wednesday, with the final round on Saturday.
This is due to the NFL's conference championship matches - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions - taking place on Sunday.
Max Homa is the defending champion in a field that consists of the likes of Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa.
Justin Thomas has also decided to WD from the Farmers Insurance Open.
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Dunlap is also now contemplating whether to turn professional or whether to remain an amateur until the rest of the season.
As a result of being the reigning US Amateur champion, Dunlap will earn a place in The Masters, The Open and US Open this season should he maintain his amateur status.
Should Dunlap make the decision to turn professional this season, he would be out of The Open at Royal Troon.
He would get a spot in the US PGA though, and regardless of whether he turns pro or not, he earns an invite into The Masters.
Dunlap will also have starting berths in all of the bumper prize purse signature events on the PGA Tour for the remainder of 2024 if he turns pro.
He would become fully exempt on the PGA Tour for two years, too.
Dunlap therefore has plenty to ponder over the coming days and weeks.
